BCCI in England 2018: 5-Test series

raja · Postby **raja** » Thu Jul 19, 2018 12:34 pm

A mouth-watering Test series awaits us.

Can't wait!

Please post all thoughts about the Test series here.

Schedule:

Aug 01, Wed - Aug 05, Sun England vs India, 1st Test
Edgbaston, Birmingham
12:00 PM
10:00 AM GMT / 11:00 AM LOCAL

Aug 09, Thu - Aug 13, Mon England vs India, 2nd Test
Lord's, London
12:00 PM
10:00 AM GMT / 11:00 AM LOCAL

Aug 18, Sat - Aug 22, Wed England vs India, 3rd Test
Trent Bridge, Nottingham
12:00 PM
10:00 AM GMT / 11:00 AM LOCAL

Aug 30, Thu - Sep 03, Mon England vs India, 4th Test
The Rose Bowl, Southampton
12:00 PM
10:00 AM GMT / 11:00 AM LOCAL

Sep 07, Fri - Sep 11, Tue England vs India, 5th Test
Kennington Oval, London
12:00 PM
10:00 AM GMT / 11:00 AM LOCAL

Courtesy: Cricbuzz

raja · Postby **raja** » Thu Jul 19, 2018 12:36 pm

Apparently Bhuvi Kumar, who can move the ball prodigiously in helpful English conditions, is ruled out for the first 3 Tests.

Nice start for BCCI. :-)

raja · Postby **raja** » Thu Jul 19, 2018 12:40 pm

There's ONE warm-up game, against Essex, starting on 25th July.
4-day game.

BCCI are lucky they're playing the Tests in August.
In an unusually warm summer.
Conditions should suit their batsmen.

Kohli gets a fantastic chance to redeem his poor reputation in England.

How I wish they'd been playing in swing-friendly conditions!

Going South · Postby **Going South** » Fri Jul 20, 2018 4:23 pm

yawn.

i doubt there would be ppl watching it in England.

raja · Postby **raja** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 11:38 am

No Bumrah, no Bhuvi, no Saha.
I thought BCCI's batting would be put to the test but now I think the bowling could struggle a lot too.
Hope no one else breaks down.
I'd like to see a well-contested Test series, not another of those walkovers.

Going South · Postby **Going South** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 8:35 pm

saha? meh. i don’t rate him much. BCCI need element of surprise. i am ok to bring in an unknown person on a debut.

raja · Postby **raja** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 10:05 am

Going South wrote:saha? meh. i don’t rate him much. BCCI need element of surprise. i am ok to bring in an unknown person on a debut.

Saha's keeping is miles ahead of the next guy, whether it is Pant or Karthik.
Whenever the keeper misses a chance, I will remember Saha.

Katto · Postby **Katto** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 10:37 am

England should win unless the BCCI lean on the ECB to prepare friendly wickets.

I'm coming around to backing the idea of doing away with the coin toss. The statistical data indicates much more interesting series would be on offer.

raja · Postby **raja** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 6:07 pm

Katto wrote:England should win unless the BCCI lean on the ECB to prepare friendly wickets.

I'm coming around to backing the idea of doing away with the coin toss. The statistical data indicates much more interesting series would be on offer.

ECB will prepare friendly wickets.
Makes most commercial sense.
Wouldn't want to prepare wickets that expose BCCI batsmen.
Especially considering BCCI doesn't have Bhuvi, their best bet in typical English conditions.

It will be friendly wickets, Kohli will get runs and redeem his reputation in England, BCCI fans (and there are hordes in England) will be thrilled, everyone will party, ECB will make loads of money.

I won't be surprised if the series ends level, or ECB even lose.
Small sacrifice to make for the money it will rake in.
It's not like English folks are going to get worked up about a series defeat to BCCI.
Rather BCCI will get hugely chuffed - and shower even more money on ECB.

The boards (and thereby all associated parties) making money is the main goal here - cricket is just the by-product.

raja · Postby **raja** » Wed Jul 25, 2018 4:10 pm

Controversial opinion.
But for his temperament (he gets carried away at times), KL Rahul is a better all-season batsman than Kohli.

raja · Postby **raja** » Wed Jul 25, 2018 4:35 pm

What Kohli lacks in technique he makes up for in grit.

bolero · Postby **bolero** » Sat Jul 28, 2018 6:11 am

raja wrote:What Kohli lacks in technique he makes up for in grit.

Agree, he is a Scorpio.

I wont put Kohli in the category of Steve Waugh but he can fight with the back to the wall, like Dravid.

Kohli isnt the most gifted but he can hang on in adversity. He is not Rohit Sharma.

raja · Postby **raja** » Sun Jul 29, 2018 12:15 pm

Earlier I said that in this BCCI-England series, I would be supporting BCCI.
Now I'm not sure anymore.
A part of me wants to see England lose, but I think a bigger part of me wants to see BCCI thrashed.
Especially because BCCI worshippers annoy me much more than England worshippers (are they any?)

The average England fan is so much more likeable than the average BCCI fan. :-)

louie_db9 · Postby **louie_db9** » Wed Aug 01, 2018 10:20 am

Umesh giving away too many runs already.

Going South · Postby **Going South** » Wed Aug 01, 2018 10:20 am

no pujara? WTF

louie_db9 · Postby **louie_db9** » Wed Aug 01, 2018 10:27 am

Dropped catch. Excellent work :roll:

raja · Postby **raja** » Wed Aug 01, 2018 10:45 am

Was undecided on who to support.
Never in my life have I supported England against any opposition.
But the current lot of Indian fans is SO arrogant, am tempted to support England.

Where is Boycs, btw?

Did anyone say anything to him? He disappeared all of a sudden, didn't he?
Hope he's ok?

If you read this, Boycs, do give us a shout.
Just want to know you're ok.

raja · Postby **raja** » Wed Aug 01, 2018 10:53 am

Ashwin picks up first wicket for BCCI on the first morning of the series?
Who'd have thunk?
Am not watching this - only checking scorecard.
Looks like it was a superb delivery.

Going South · Postby **Going South** » Wed Aug 01, 2018 2:02 pm

i see a 4 day test match in my crystal ball.

raja · Postby **raja** » Wed Aug 01, 2018 4:36 pm

We're in trouble.
Some excellent bowling from Ashwin and a couple of bad decisions (Root and Stokes)...
We'll struggle to get to 300.
And that, after batting first.

Congrats, BCCI.

Going South · Postby **Going South** » Wed Aug 01, 2018 5:12 pm

8 down. great going. come on guys.

Going South · Postby **Going South** » Wed Aug 01, 2018 5:29 pm

raja wrote:We're in trouble.
Some excellent bowling from Ashwin and a couple of bad decisions (Root and Stokes)...
We'll struggle to get to 300.
And that, after batting first.

Congrats, BCCI.

what bad decisions? you mean bad decision by english players who played stupidly? please clarify.

Going South · Postby **Going South** » Wed Aug 01, 2018 5:30 pm

9 down.

4 over left, one wicket needed. come on guys.

louie_db9 · Postby **louie_db9** » Wed Aug 01, 2018 5:33 pm

After losing the toss, the scoreline suggests a good day for India. But as always it will depend on how they bat.

Going South · Postby **Going South** » Wed Aug 01, 2018 5:40 pm

ha. some crooked management prevented an all out by declaring at 88 overs only instead of usual 90 overs of the day. Ass whopping overshadows saving blushes anyday. I say the day belongs to BCCI, good job boys!

raja · Postby **raja** » Wed Aug 01, 2018 6:15 pm

Going South wrote:
raja wrote:We're in trouble.
Some excellent bowling from Ashwin and a couple of bad decisions (Root and Stokes)...
We'll struggle to get to 300.
And that, after batting first.

Congrats, BCCI.

what bad decisions? you mean bad decision by english players who played stupidly? please clarify.

Yes, poor decisions by our batsmen.

louie_db9 · Postby **louie_db9** » Wed Aug 01, 2018 9:24 pm

Anyone know why Umesh's pace was so down today?

Going South · Postby **Going South** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 8:36 am

bolero · Postby **bolero** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 8:38 am

I am a huge critic of Ashwin. Looks like he has taken the criticism seriously.

Going South · Postby **Going South** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 8:41 am

louie_db9 wrote:Anyone know why Umesh's pace was so down today?

deliberate?

may be mcgrathesque accuracy at military medium is preferred over raw pace. it sure worked as results of the day is favorable.

bolero · Postby **bolero** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 11:12 am

Any idea why Ishant Sharma is playing ?

I am sure Boycs has something to say on this.

Its a mystery why he gets selected.

When he bowls badly, he is a huge liability. Cant bat, cant field.

Earlier he used to scare the batsmen with his Jason Gillespie like flowing hair.

Even that doesnt work now as he is trimmed down his hair.

bolero · Postby **bolero** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 11:27 am

Going South wrote:no pujara? WTF

Wondering too. He is not Kohli's yes man, thats why gets humiliated like this.

Criticism that he bats too slowly.

Agreed, but we require such a person in tests, atleast in tests where ball jags around.

louie_db9 · Postby **louie_db9** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 11:32 am

Collapse has started.

louie_db9 · Postby **louie_db9** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 11:40 am

I am going to Edgbaston tomorrow. It's gonna be a looooooong day.

Katto · Postby **Katto** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 12:18 pm

always thought this Curran guy looked the goods

raja · Postby **raja** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 12:22 pm

BCCI totally on top.
Anything less than a hundred from Kohli will be a disappointment.

Going South · Postby **Going South** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 2:21 pm

Going South · Postby **Going South** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 2:25 pm

raja wrote:Anything less than a hundred from Kohli will be a disappointment.

amen to that. kohli got to deliver. if not his antics on field would be a laughing matter soon.

Going South · Postby **Going South** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 2:38 pm

50 up by kohli. last man standing. come on kohli. remember the wall and get inspired.

Going South · Postby **Going South** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 2:40 pm

WTH pandya boy doing in test cricket?, can somebody puleeze eggsplain to me. grrrrr

raja · Postby **raja** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 2:46 pm

Another thing Kohli and Tendulkar have in common.

I can't remember a single chanceless Tendulkar Test 100. And Tendulkar had 51 Test hundreds!
Kohli is probably better in that respect - he might be having the odd chanceless one.
But it's IN England that your runs really matter.

---

46.4
Stokes to Kohli, 1 run, dropped! Stokes is down on his knees. He affords a smile. But it was a tough one for Malan. Very full and outside off, Kohli down on his back knee looks to squeeze it out, the outside edge flies to the right of second slip, Malan dives across and gets his hand to it. A third slip would have gobbled that up, but England have two slips and a gully and the ball went right between the two. Since it was to Malan's right he went for the catch and was only able to shell it

31
Anderson to Kohli, no run, dropped! By Malan at 2nd slip. Anderson is so so unlucky. This is fantastic bowling once more, drew him across finally and made him play at a full outswinger, the edge carried nicely to Malan. Straight in and out. Can't believe it are the Englishmen. Kohli gets a life. No justice for Anderson

raja · Postby **raja** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 2:49 pm

28.6
Anderson to Kohli, no run, beats him neck and crop. Not sure Kohli knew too much about that. This cut back in sharply from a short of length and Kohli was late to cover it up, past the inside edge and through to Bairstow. Fantastic over where he once again troubled the Indian captain

Going South · Postby **Going South** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 2:49 pm

come on raja. every damn batsman gets multiple chances. it’s just your BCCI hate talk. grow up !!!

raja · Postby **raja** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 2:50 pm

And this, when Kohli hadn't even got off the mark.
----
16.1
Anderson to Kohli, 2 runs, hands on heads for the English. Just about carried to Buttler at gully. And he can't cup it. Lucky escape for Kohli. The driving length outside off, lures Kohli into the shot, the edge went low and to the left of the diving Lancashire-man, fingertip stuff that

raja · Postby **raja** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 2:51 pm

Going South wrote:come on raja. every damn batsman gets multiple chances. it’s just your BCCI hate talk. grow up !!!

Sure, but if you can't get ONE chanceless 100 in your 51 Test hundreds.......I have to reset that number to 0. :grin:

Going South · Postby **Going South** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 2:52 pm

these 4 ppl decide the game. ironic to see them together on scoreboard. lol.

Going South · Postby **Going South** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 2:54 pm

raja wrote:
Going South wrote:come on raja. every damn batsman gets multiple chances. it’s just your BCCI hate talk. grow up !!!

Sure, but if you can't get ONE chanceless 100 in your 51 Test hundreds.......I have to reset that number to 0.

who is your favorite batsman?

eh? tongue tied? no hundreds? too bad.

raja · Postby **raja** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 2:55 pm

Ok, for the record, I do like Kohli. :-)
I really do.

Let's put it this way. I like him MUCH MORE than Tendulkar.
I know that's not a particularly high bar but still.... :-)

Tinsel · Postby **Tinsel** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 2:59 pm

raja wrote:Ok, for the record, I do like Kohli. :-) I
I really do.

Let's put it this way. I like him MUCH MORE than Tendulkar.
I know that's not a particularly high bar but still.... :-)

Chiku himself rates SRT better than him and Lara

raja · Postby **raja** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 3:00 pm

My favourite players in this BCCI side are:
Kohli: for his grit (I admire him for this)
Rahul: for his talent (I can watch him bat all day; but he stupidly gets out with one extravagant shot too many)
Ashwin: his persistence (I admire this). He has come in for a lot of flak for being a sub-continent bowler. Fair enough. But I think he's a fighter, and keeps trying to improve.

The ones I'm not keen on:
Dhawan and Pujara are rubbish for English conditions. Am glad Pujara isn't playing. He's not even done well at county level - and has had many opportunities.

The rest I don't mind, whether it is Murali Vijay or Rahane or Karthik or Pandya.
Ishant Sharma continues to be like that persistent cough.
No cough syrup works - you just have to grit your teeth and bear it. :-)
But he's otherwise ok - who would you pick in his place?